Ex-EPA official sentenced to 32 months for theft

The Associated Press

December 19, 2013 9:33:55 AM

WASHINGTON -- A judge has sentenced a former high-ranking official with the Environmental Protection Agency to 32 months in prison for stealing from the agency by failing to show up for work -- while falsely claiming to be working for the CIA.

U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle sentenced John C. Beale, 65, following his guilty plea in September to stealing nearly $900,000 from the EPA in no-shows and filing bogus expenses.

Beale had been a deputy assistant administrator in the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.

Beale agreed in his plea deal to pay $886,186 to the EPA in restitution, and forfeit another $507,207.